Busy times for Grand Bahama Shipyard

Shiprepair & Maintenance: eNews March 2017

Grand Bahama Shipyard Ltd (GBSL) has enjoyed a busy 2016 with 49 commercial vessels in its docks for repairs facilities. The majority of this work has been on container, bulk, ro-ro and tanker vessels, and a small number of tugs, barges and offshore vessels. In order to cope with the increasing demand they continue to invest in expanding and upgrading their facilities. Graham Couser, vice president of sales and marketing at GBSL, said “In 2016 significant investments included facility upgrades and purchasing of new machinery and tooling adding to our workshops’ capabilities.”

GBSL are continuing to expanding their cruise ship work. In 2016 they had 20 cruise ship refurbishments scheduled at their three floating dry-docks. This work not only included routine maintenance but in many cases also significant redesigning to update and meet the operators latest corporate ‘brand’ standards.

Just within the first quarter of 2017, GBSL are expecting to complete work on 10 cruise ships. The scope of works varies but included significant propulsion and technical systems overhauls, hull treatment, accommodations and public spaces upgrades and the addition of onboard attraction facilities.

The first to enter drydock in January 2017 was Cruise Management International (CMI) managed Grand Celebration for a brief refit and upgrade, prior to the start of their busy West Palm Beach to Freeport season.

Carnival Cruise Line will have drydocked four of the seven vessels scheduled for drydock in early 2017; Carnival Ecstasy in January followed by Carnival Sensation in February, undertaking the same work, which included complete hull treatment, major steel and pipe replacement throughout multiple vessel systems, thrusters and stabilizers overhauls. Carnival Sensation will go into to Dry Dock 2 in April for works on the ABB/Carnival co-op project to cyclo-converter supported by GBSL, and the use of the Manitowoc 18000 crane to lift the new auxiliary diesel generator (ADG) module for installation while alongside on the North Beach Wharf.

Carnival Dream while in Dry Dock 2 received new sea chest for the scrubbers, thrusters and stabilizers overhauls. GBSL supported the Carnival Hotel Refurbishment Team with interior structural modification works. The Manitowoc 18000 crane was used to lift the ADG module for installation while alongside on the North Beach Wharf. Carnival Glory visited Dry Dock 2 in February to undertake modifications to the scrubbers sea chest; new installation of an ADG module and the relevant structural reinforcements to support the new ADG module; complete hull treatment; GBSL provided support to Carnival with structural modifications to the pump room to include extensive steel work and work related to installation of a new ‘water park’ facility, and finally a module lift of the new water park to be placed on deck 10. Future works include the Breeze in April, Elation in August, and the Conquest in October.

Princess Cruise Line’s have booked three vessels in 2017. In late March Caribbean Princess will go into Dock 2 with a plan to paint the Princess logo on the bow of the vessel. Other future bookings include the Pacific Princess in May and Island Princess in November.

Royal Caribbean Cruise Line’s will drydock three vessels in 2017; Granduer of the Seas is booked into Dock 3 in April, Serenade of the Seas and Enchantment of the Seas both booked in November 2017.

Norwegian Cruise Lines docked four of the five ships planned for 2017 within the first quarter. In January Oceania Insignia visited Dock 1 for a quick inspection, followed by Sky on Dock 3 for work on the pools structures; replacement of bakery equipment; GBSL support to Rolls Royce on overhaul of CPP and replacement of side thrusters. GBSL also constructed and maintained a complex scaffold for the Atrium upgrades. The Pearl spent a significant amount of time in Dry Dock 3 for extensive works in February to include complete hull treatment, the installation of new ballast water treatment system pipe lines; the overhaul to thrusters, stabilizers and azipods along with the replacement of the propeller blades. Future works to NCL vessels include Jade’s extensive dry-dock period on Dock 3 and Seven Seas Mariner both scheduled in April.

Disney Cruise Lines will dock Fantasy in April on Dock 2 for an extensive work.

Holland America has booked three ships into GBSL in the fourth quarter. Those ships are Zuiderdam, Rotterdam and Nieuw Amsterdam.